Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel, non-thermal form of tissue ablation that uses short pulses of high frequency electrical energy to kill target tissue. We are studying the ability of IRE to treat tumors of the liver, bile duct and pancreas that are not amenable to surgical removal.

We are also studying novel methods for predicting outcomes following liver surgery. This study may help us to better counsel patients regarding the expected outcomes following major liver surgery.

Biography

Dr. Charpentier is a general surgeon with expertise in surgery of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. He completed a liver, pancreas and kidney transplant fellowship at the University of Washington in 2003 before joining the faculty at the University of Connecticut where he opened and directed the Pancreas Transplant Program. He went on to obtain additional training in laparoscopic liver surgery before being recruited to Brown University and University Surgical Associates in 2006.

Dr. Charpentier has a busy clinical practice treating patients with surgical problems of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. His research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with cancer of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Currently, his funded research focuses on exploring novel techniques for tumor ablation in the liver and pancreas. Dr. Charpentier has several publications and has lectured extensively in his field of interest.

Research Description

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel, non-thermal form of tissue ablation that uses short pulses of high frequency electrical energy to kill target tissue. We are studying the ability of IRE to treat tumors of the liver, bile duct and pancreas that are not amenable to surgical removal.

We are also studying novel methods for predicting outcomes following liver surgery. This study may help us to better counsel patients regarding the expected outcomes following major liver surgery.

Awards

1992 Outstanding Achievement in Academics in Excellence in Research Award, Syracuse University
1993 Hartford Foundation/American Federation for Aging Research Scholarship
1997 Resident of the Year, Hospital of St. Raphael
1998 Resident of the Year, Hospital of St. Raphael
1999 Resident Leadership Award, Hospital of St. Raphael
2000 Resident of the Year, Hospital of St. Raphael
2000 Medical Staff President's Award for Excellence in Academic Performance and Scholastic Achievement, Hospital of St. Raphael
2001 Resident of the Year, Hospital of St. Raphael
2003 Henry N. Harkins Award, Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons
2009 Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Affiliations

2002-present Tufts University School of Medicine, Alumni Association
2002-present Henry N. Harkins Surgical Society
2003-present American College of Surgeons, Fellow
2005-present International Liver Transplantation Society
2005-present American Society of Transplant Surgeons
2005-present International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
2008-present American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
2008-present New England Surgical Society
2009-present Society for Surgical Oncology

Funded Research

1)CMTT# 0015-09 A Pilot Study of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) of the Liver and Liver Hilum in the Porcine Model. Co- principal investigator, $38,000, Angiodynamics, Inc

2) CMTT# 0016-09 A Pilot Study of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) of the pancreatic head in the Porcine Model. Co- principal investigator, $25,000, Departments of Surgery and Radiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

3) Ablation followed by resection: A pilot study of the MedWaves microwave system, Co- principal investigator, $25,000, Medwaves, Inc.

Teaching Experience

Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Surgical Clerkship 2007-present
Evaluation of the Jaundice Patient

Department of Surgery/Rhode Island Hospital 2007-present
Topics include metastatic colorectal cancer, primary liver cancer, pancreatic cystic neoplasms, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic pseudocysts, complex biliary disorders, portal hypertension

GI Fellows lecture series 2008-present.
Topics include metastatic colorectal cancer, primary liver cancer, pancreatic cystic neoplasms, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic pseudocysts, complex biliary disorders

Selected Publications

• Charpentier KP, Wol F, Resnick M, Noble L, Winn B, Dupuy D. Irreversible electroporation of the liver and liver hilum in swine. Society for Surgical Oncology. St Lois, MO, March 2010.(2010)
• Safran H, Charpentier K, Dubel G, Soares G, Berz D, Shipley J, Faricy-Anderson K, Plette A. Bishop K, Espat J. Lenalidomide for advanced hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in patients progressing or intolerant to sorafenib. American Society for Clinical Oncology. Chicago, IL, June 2010.(2010)
• Charpentier KP, Wol F, Resnick M, Noble L, Winn B, Dupuy D. Irreversible electroporation of the liver and liver hilum in swine. Ann Surg Oncol. Submitted 1/2010.(2010)
• Charpentier KP, Wol F, Resnick M, Noble L, Winn B, Dupuy D. Irreversible electroporation of the pancreas in swine. HPB Submitted 1/2010.(2010)
• Wolf FJ, Beland MD, Grand DJ, Iannitti D, Hass RA, Charpentier KP, Mayo-Smith WW, Machan JT, Dupuy DE. Microwave ablation of hepatic malignancies: Effectiveness and safety in 70 patients. Radiology Society of North America. Chicago, IL Nov 2009.(2009)
• Safran H, Miner T, Bahary N, Whiting S, Lopez C, Sun W, Charpentier K, Shiplkey J, Anderson E, McNulty B. Lapatinib and gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer: a phase II study. American Society for Clinical Oncology. Submitted 1/2009.(2009)
• Wolf FJ, Beland MD, Grand DJ, Iannitti D, Hass RA, Charpentier KP, Mayo-Smith WW, Machan JT, Dupuy DE. Microwave ablation of hepatic malignancies: Effectiveness and safety in 70 patients. Radiology. Submitted Nov 2009.(2009)
• Safran H, Miner T, Bahary N, Whiting S, Lopez C, Sun W, Charpentier K, Shipley J, Anderson E, McNulty B, Schumacher A, Clark A, Vakharia J, Kennedy T. Lapatinib and Gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer: A phase II study. American J Clin Oncology, submitted November 2008(2008)
• Charpentier KP, Cheah YL, Machan JT, Miner T, Morrissey P, Monaco A. Intention to treat survival following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma within a donor service area. HPB 2008;10: 412-15.(2008)
• Charpentier KP, Mavanur A. Removing patients from the liver transplant waitlist: a survey of United States liver transplant programs. Liver Transpl 2008;14:303-8.(2008)
• Multi-modality approach to the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Current Research in Hepatology 2008;2:83-98.(2008)